November 2008 Notable Toys — Novelties

This action figure is a tribute to all those hard-working waitresses, with thanks for putting up with everyone's silly menu questions, finicky standards and ridiculous requests, all while keeping a smile on your face. Each 5" (12.7 cm), hard-vinyl action figure comes with a removable serving tray, two plates (breakfast and lunch) and a removable cloth apron. It comes on an illustrated blistercard. Launch date: November 20, 2008.

In this exciting board game, players attempt to collect more cats than their fellow competitors as they make their way around the board. Players gain more cats by landing on spaces such as “Save a Cat Stuck in a Tree” and “Rescue Grumpy Old Cat From Pound.” But watch out for spaces that take cats from you, such as “Beware of Dog” and “Kitten Distracted by Bit of Fluff.” It includes a gameboard with spinner, four game pieces with plastic stands, 50 5/8" (1.6 cm) plastic cats and four Wildcat cards. Measurements of the illustrated, shrink-wrapped box are 8.5" x 9.5" x 1.75". Launch date: October 1, 2008.

Those tempted to reach for the nearest sheet of plastic bubbles need look no further than Mugen Pop Pop.  Mugen Pop Pop is a highly addictive handheld keychain device that stimulates the strangely satisfying experience of popping plastic bubble packaging. Launch date: October 27, 2008,

Nothing says Christmas quite like innocent children shrieking with terror as a stranger dressed in red drags them kicking and screaming onto his lap. Now this time-honored rite of passage is celebrated with a hilarious collection of more than two hundred and fifty priceless photos of kids' traumatic trips to Santa's workshop. Scared of Santa offers a cornucopia of photographic funnies—from sixty-year-old family heirlooms to last year's howlers—along with delightful commentary on those unforgettable childhood visits to scary ol' Saint Nick. By Denise Joyce and Nancy Watkins. Launch date: 2008.

This beautifully engineered globe is suspended in midair by an electronically controlled magnetic field. It must be plugged in to work. "This globe has a chip that continuously adjusts to atmospheric changes," Melissa Rains, in Premium Incentive Sales at Cram Herff Jones, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

These animal-print bouncy balls measure 2.4" in diameter. There are six styles.

This retro-designed rocket ship has a swivel plug and comes with a 4-watt bulb. It measures 3.5" W x 5.75" H x 3" D. Launch date: November 2008.

The rungs of this colorful ladder seem to all fall down when the top is tilted from side to side, but they remain attached, offering an intriguing visual time and time again.

Made of stretchy material, this 2" block of cheese is home to two mice that can be moved around to the different holes.

Each hand-painted Kooky Klicker features a distintive personality and fun design. The 5" characters have rubbery strands of hair and a metal clip.

Kids just pull back this 2.25" helicopter and watch it glide along the ground.

Over 12" tall. Includes 6 packs of PEZ and plays the Star Wars theme.

Sugar-Free gum tape in 3 different flavors. Available in 6 different collectible versions.

Lick to reveal the hidden message.

Snoopy Gumball Dispensing Jack-In-The-Box. Plays music and dispenses edible gumballs.

This 10" melamine plate features illustrated letters by artist Shelley Dieterichs, spelling out the word COOKIES for Santa. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

Silver shimmery Snowflakes from FunToSee are the simplest way to create beautiful feature walls or simply add a tasteful touch of color and fun around a room or on furniture. Easy and fun, removable and re-usable, and splash-proof and washable, a package of 30 FunToSee Snowflakes provide hours of holiday decorating fun. The product is "re-usable and will not damage walls," Elizabeth Marquis, account director for Serendipity Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Top Race promises hours of racecar thrills. Players send the racing cars down the track, ready for anything in their quest to get to the top of the podium, and use the advanced rules to thwart their opponents. They go on to win if they bet on the right drivers. The easy-to-learn game was created by German designer Wolfgang Kramer. Launch date: September 2008.

Each player receives a card that lists three secret challenges to be carried out during the play period in front of other players without getting caught. With family or during a party, players then try to expose other players in order to win. The small box takes up little counter space and is easy to take along. Launch date: March 2008.

Magical fairy dust reveals the fairy's treasure. Kids read Claresa's story of Fairy Treasure Stones, follow her instructions, and in the morning, the stone's treasure is revealed. The product is made in America. Claresa is "a fairy that is dedicated to bringing fun, imagination and quality into the lives of little fairy believers. Claresa has the highest standards because she believes they are an extension of her and a representation the fairy world," Clare Grindy, owner of Claresa the Fairy: Authentic Fairy Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 11, 2003.

The Mommy and Me collection features one-of-a-kind pieces and makes wonderful gifts for "Daddy's Girls." Both are made from the same fabric and coordinated with appropriate shoes. The company loves doing custom work and is happy to work with any décor. The "handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, whimsical footstools ... are finished with REAL shoes and socks," Owner and Designer Nancy L. Brown told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2004 Best New Product at the New England Products and Trade Show. Launch date: October 2008.

Glee Gum is all natural chewing gum made with sustainably harvested rainforest chicle. It comes in EIGHT great flavors: cinnamon, peppermint, tangerine, bubblegum, spearmint, triple berry, sugar-free lemon-lime and sugar-free refresh-mint. Glee Gum is the #1 healthy alternative to synthetic chewing gum and bubble gum.

This resin creation comes with chrome or gold plating. It is a bank cast from a pig that died a natural death and will hold more than $10,000 in bills Dimensions: 5.25" x 10" x 18". Allie Shartle of Areaware told TDmonthly the  product is "a modern interpretation of a classic piggy bank."

This spinning top, with a diameter of 4 cm, is available in pear, maple, cherry, walnut and plum woods.